Smiths heater control valve

[chris coote]

Odd fault after a wholly satisfactory 280 mile run in warm weather, on returning to my garage steam was arising from bonnet and lots of coolant being spilt. Opening bonnet revealed steam and water spray from side of heater box. Stopped this by selecting hot on cabin heater control. Allowed radiator to cool down before topping up with 1/2 gallon coolant. Restarted engine and noted slight drip from heater control valve. Does anyone know what other cars use this standard looking 3 port valve so that I can source a replacement? In the meantime is there any harm in diconnecting the two hoses to the valve and blanking them off to isolate the valve and heater. I do not need any more heat in the car in summer!!!!

[Kevin H]

Chris,
There is no harm in bypassing the heater valve.

What car do you have?
Regards,
Kevin

[dwomby]

If it's a 408 or uses the same valve, I just bought a Jaguar C16559 for their Mk2 from SNGBarratt that seems identical. You need to order a new donut washer too to fit between it and the heater.

David

[Kevin H]

Good find David. It's the same as the one on my 411 S5 (see photo), before I fitted air con. It seems the price can vary quite a bit, so it's worth shopping around.

Chris, make sure you don't undo the two small bolts that fix the bracket onto the heater body - the nuts behind them are not captive!

If my memory serves me correctly, the job will be easier using small BA spanners.

[chris coote]

Originally Posted by Kevin H

Good find David. It's the same as the one on my 411 S5 (see photo), before I fitted air con. It seems the price can vary quite a bit, so it's worth shopping around.

Chris, make sure you don't undo the two small bolts that fix the bracket onto the heater body - the nuts behind them are not captive!

If my memory serves me correctly, the job will be easier using small BA spanners.

Kevin and David, my car is a 409 Mk2. The valve looks identical to the 411 one pictured so will order the Jaguar one and a donut as advised. Meanwhile I intend to disconnect the hoses and rejoin them with a piece of 1/2in alloy tube thus maintaining flow back to block via inlet manifold connection. Is this OK?

[AndrewA]

That's what I did on my 410 and it worked fine.
I found getting a decent seal between the valve and the tail/pipe off the heater matrix was not straightforward and it was suggested by marque specialists that a blob of sealant is commonly used to good effect.
This what I did and no ill effects or leaks since.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by chris coote

Meanwhile I intend to disconnect the hoses and rejoin them with a piece of 1/2in alloy tube thus maintaining flow back to block via inlet manifold connection. Is this OK?

Chris, yes that will be fine.

There one thing about your original post that is niggling me - that's the description of steam and lots of coolant being expelled. I was going to suggest you check that the thermostat is working properly, but if it wasn't opening there is no way you could have done a 280 mile trip without the engine overheating.